Floor Cleaning Device and Method

ABSTRACT

A floor cleaning device and method include mop head, including cleaning fibers, a corner brush coupled to an extendable member and extendable from a center of the mop head, and an inner handle including knob for engaging and disengaging a locking mechanism for locking corner brush in position. Floor cleaning device and method is useful for cleaning hard-to-reach areas of floors without the need for excessive bending or hand scrubbing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/465,632 filed Mar. 1, 2017, whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understandingthe present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of theinformation provided herein is prior art nor material to the presentlydescribed or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or documentthat is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of cleaning meansof existing art and more specifically relates to mops and heads.

Related Art

Cleaning is, at times a tedious, and tiresome chore that most peoplemust attend to. When it comes to cleaning floors, the generally acceptedequipment is most commonly a broom and mop. While a mop is ideal forcleaning large, hard surfaces such as tile floors, the mop heads areoften bulky and difficult to get into tight spaces such as corners oraround base boards in a home.

When cleaning the floors of an establishment it is not uncommon for aperson to have to get down on the floor and clean corners and baseboards manually with a rag or other, smaller cleaning device toeffectively clean the area. Getting down onto a hard surface such as atile floor can be a taxing and strenuous experience. Furthermore, suchphysical strain may be downright impossible for those suffering fromdisability and injury, as well as the elderly. A suitable solution isdesired.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,427 to Andrea Chiapelli relates to a mop including amop head having a scrub material. The described mop including a mop headhaving a scrub material includes a mop having a mop head supported on ahandle and including a mop head base and a mop body. The mop body isdefined by a plurality of mop strands supported on the base. A scrubberelement is supported on the base, centrally within the mop body. Thescrubber element further has opposing faces on a scrubber body locatedat laterally opposing sides to define abrasive scrubbing surfaces. Asingle attachment element provides a simple and cost-effective way toattach the scrubber element simultaneously with attachment of the mopstrands. The scrubber element further is engaged with the mop head baseto bias the scrubber element into a folded configuration folded so thatthe opposing faces are facing away from the mop handle thereby enablinga mop user to easily manipulate the scrubber element provided forremoval of difficult stains, etc. by applying downward pressure to thehandle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known mops andheads art, the present disclosure provides a novel floor cleaning deviceand method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will bedescribed subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an efficient andeffective floor cleaning device and method.

A floor cleaning device is disclosed herein. The floor cleaning deviceincludes a mop head including a plurality of cleaning fibers, a cornerbrush coupled to an extendable member and extendable from a center ofthe mop head, and a telescoping handle including a knob for engaging anddisengaging a locking mechanism for locking the corner brush inposition.

According to another embodiment, a method for effectively cleaning afloor is also disclosed herein. The method for effectively cleaning afloor includes mopping a floor with the mop head until a user encountersa corner, twisting the knob to disengage the locking mechanism,extending the inner-extendable handle to position the corner brush inthe extended position, twisting the knob to engage the lockingmechanism, and cleaning the corner using the corner brush.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages,and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is tobe understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achievedin accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus,the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achievesor optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught hereinwithout necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught orsuggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to benovel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in theconcluding portion of the specification. These and other features,aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become betterunderstood with reference to the following drawings and detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specificationillustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, afloor cleaning device, constructed and operative according to theteachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the floor cleaning device during an‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the floor cleaning device of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the floor cleaning device of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the floor cleaning device of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for effectivelycleaning a floor using the present invention, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the joint between locking mechanism andouter handle of the floor cleaning device of FIG. 1, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts a close-up view of the joint between mop head and outerhandle of the floor cleaning device of FIG. 1, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts a top end of the inner handle of the floor cleaningdevice of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein likedesignations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to mopsand heads and more particularly to a floor cleaning device as used toimprove the effectively clean hard-to-reach areas of a floor andadjacent surfaces.

Generally, the floor cleaning device may include a swab mop, a cornerbrush, a brush extension and retraction mechanism and a handle. Thecorner brush may be configured to extend from and retract into thehandle. The corner brush may further be configured to extend to anapproximate length of twelve to eighteen inches. The brush extension andretraction mechanism may include a push-button for operation, andalternatively a knob.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals ofreference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a floorcleaning device 100.

FIG. 1 shows a floor cleaning device 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, thefloor cleaning device 100 may be beneficial for use by a user 40 toclean hard to reach areas of a floor without having to get down on thefloor and scrub them by hand. As illustrated, the floor cleaning device100 may include a mop head 110 including a plurality of cleaning fibers200. Furthermore, the floor cleaning device 100 may include a cornerbrush 120 coupled to an extendable member 300 and extendable from acenter of the mop head 110. The floor cleaning device 100 may include atelescoping handle 130 including a knob 406 for engaging and disengaginga locking mechanism 404 for locking the corner brush 120 in position.Upon reading this specification it should be appreciated that, underappropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences,design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost,available materials, technological advances, etc., other structuralarrangements such as, for example, different types of cleaning fibersand materials, and extending/retracting/locking mechanisms, etc., may besufficient.

According to one embodiment, the floor cleaning device 100 may bearranged as a kit 105. In particular, the floor cleaning device 100 mayfurther include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 maydetail functional relationships in relation to the structure of thefloor cleaning device 100 such that the floor cleaning device 100 can beused, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

Referring now to FIG. 2 showing the floor cleaning device 100 of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, thefloor cleaning device 100 may include a mop head 110. Mop head 110 mayinclude a plurality of cleaning fibers 200 arranged in a configurationto suit the overall construction of the mop head 110. The plurality ofcleaning fibers 200 may further be constructed of a sufficientlyabsorbent material to facilitate absorption of cleaning products from ahard surface. Furthermore, the plurality of cleaning fibers 200 may beconfigured so that their overall length is shorter than the relativelength of the extendable member 300. The mop head 110 may also includean aperture 202 positioned centrally in relation to the plurality ofcleaning fibers 200 to allow passage of the length of the extendablemember 300.

The corner brush 120 may include a plurality of cleaning fibers 200. Theplurality of cleaning fibers 200 may be comprised of a sufficientlyabsorbent material to facilitate absorption of cleaning products from ahard surface. The corner brush 120 may further comprise a plurality ofcleaning fibers 200 arranged in a triangular shape to facilitatereaching a corner of two abutting walls. Furthermore, the corner brush120 may be coupled to the extendable member 300 so that it may beextended and retracted with the extendable member 300. The corner brush120 may be mounted to the extendable member 300 at an angle relative tothe telescoping handle 130 to facilitate comfortable use without theneed for excessive bending.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the floor cleaning device 100 of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is shown inFIG. 3 that the corner brush 120 may be mounted to the extendable member300 which may be affixed to the inner-extendable-handle 402. Theextendable member 300 may be extended through the aperture 202 by meansof the inner-extendable-handle 402. As the inner-extendable-handle 402is extended, the extendable member 300 may be pushed through theaperture 202 centrally located on the mop head 110. As the extendablemember 300 is extended, so then is the corner brush 120 coupled to theend of the extendable member 300. The extendable member 300 can be seento be significantly longer that the plurality of cleaning fibers 200 toprevent them from interfering with the use of the corner brush 120.

Referring now to FIG. 4 showing a perspective view of the floor cleaningdevice 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The telescoping handle 130 may include an outer stationaryhandle 400, an inner-extendable-handle 402, as well as a lockingmechanism 404, and a knob 406 for engaging and disengaging the lockingmechanism 404. The locking mechanism 404 may be positionable among aplurality of operative modes. The plurality of operative modes mayinclude an extended mode, as well as a retracted mode. The telescopinghandle 130 may contain the extendable member 300 when the extendablemember 300 is in the retracted position. The locking mechanism 404 mayfurthermore be operable by method of twisting a knob 406. For thepresent embodiment of the locking mechanism 404 a knob 406 is used toengage and disengage the locking mechanism 404. It is important to notethat other methods of engaging and disengaging the locking mechanism 404may be used to suit the design, construction or needs of the floorcleaning device 100.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for effectively cleaninga floor 500, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Inparticular, the method for effectively cleaning a floor 500 may includeone or more components or features of the floor cleaning device 100 asdescribed above. As illustrated, the method for effectively cleaning afloor 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, mopping a floor withthe mop head until a user encounters a corner; step two 502, twistingthe knob to disengage the locking mechanism; step three 503, extendingthe inner-extendable-handle to position the corner brush in the extendedposition; step four 504, twisting the knob to engage the lockingmechanism; step five 505, cleaning a corner using the corner brush; stepsix 506, twisting the knob to disengage the locking mechanism; stepseven 507, retracting the inner-extendable-handle to position the cornerbrush in the retracted position; step eight 508, twisting the knob toengage the locking mechanism.

It should be noted that steps 506, 507, and 508 are optional steps andmay not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish themfrom the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted thatthe steps described in the method of use can be carried out in manydifferent orders according to user preference. The use of “step of”should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is notintended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should alsobe noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issuesas design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost,structural requirements, available materials, technological advances,etc., other methods for effectively cleaning a floor are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary andnumerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readilyenvisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which areintended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention.Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A floor cleaning device comprising: an outerhandle having an upper outer handle end and a lower outer handle end; aninner handle; a mop head including cleaning fibers connected to theouter handle; a corner brush that is extendable from the mop headcoupled to the inner handle; a corner-brush locking mechanism having alocked position and an unlocked position, wherein the mechanism isdisposed on the outer handle and around the inner handle; and a knobconnected to the inner handle.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein theinner handle extends through the outer handle and an opening in the mophead.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism has aconnection to the upper outer-handle end.
 4. The device of claim 3,wherein the mop head connects to the lower outer-handle end.
 5. Thedevice of claim 4 further comprising a taper lock disposed within thelocking mechanism.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the taper locksurrounds the inner handle.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein moving theupper outer-handle end toward the taper lock causes the lockingmechanism to move from the unlocked position to the locked position. 8.The device of claim 7, wherein the connection is threaded.
 9. The deviceof claim 8, wherein rotation of the locking mechanism onto the outerhandle moves the upper outer-handle end toward the taper lock.
 10. Thedevice of claim 9, wherein the taper lock has a cylindrical lower regionand a tapered upper region.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein thetaper lock has a uniform inner diameter.
 12. The device of claim 11,wherein the locking mechanism has a locking-mechanism tapered regionadjacent to the tapered upper region.
 13. The device of claim 12,wherein in the locked position, the upper outer-handle end pushes thetaper lock between the inner handle and the locking-mechanism taperedregion.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the inner handle has a fullyextended position that extends the corner brush a first distance, anintermediate position that extends the corner brush a second distanceless than the first distance, and a fully retracted position thatretracts the corner brush.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein thecorner brush mounts angled to the inner handle.
 16. The device of claim15, wherein the cleaning fibers are shorter than the first distance. 17.The device of claim 16, wherein the corner brush comprises triangularlyarranged cleaning bristles.
 18. The device of claim 6, wherein movingthe upper outer-handle end toward the taper lock causes the lockingmechanism to move from the unlocked position to the locked position. 19.A method of cleaning a floor comprising the steps of: providing thedevice of claim 13; mopping a floor with the mop head; stopping at acorner between two walls; disengaging the locking mechanism; extendingthe inner handle to extend the corner brush; engaging the lockingmechanism; and cleaning a corner with the corner brush.
 20. The methodof claim 19, further comprising the steps of: disengaging the lockingmechanism; retracting the inner handle to retract the corner brush; andengaging the locking mechanism.